MCD approves Okhla waste-to-energy plant expansion, park maintenance plan

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Monday, August 24, approved a series of proposals covering waste management, property tax, healthcare, parks and civic infrastructure.

One of the key decisions was to increase the municipal solid waste intake capacity of the Okhla waste-to-energy plant from 1,550 tonnes per day to 2,550 tonnes per day, with a 10% variation. Officials said in-principle approval had already been granted.

The MCD House also approved a 20-year agreement with the Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (DTIDCL) for sharing advertising revenue on a 50:50 basis.

Resident welfare associations have been allowed to adopt and maintain municipal parks and green belts under a public-private partnership model. They will receive Rs 13,500 per acre for maintenance under the scheme.

The civic body also approved an extension until June 30, 2026, for the 200-tonne-per-day biogas plant at Ghogha Dairy, along with relaxation of certain contractual conditions to facilitate its completion.

Other approvals included extensions of contracts for medical gases at MCD hospitals, hospital diet supplies and horticulture manpower. The House also approved a vendor for internet bandwidth, IT infrastructure maintenance and network management.

The MCD adopted updated Central Public Works Department and Delhi government schedules of rates as standard benchmarks for municipal works.

The New Indian Express reported on Tuesday, August 25, that the decisions cover several major areas of Delhi’s civic infrastructure and waste-management system.